Shuan Rose: What should be the relationship-between US Scientists and =
scientists in the Muslim world?

Jay Willingham: I would especially like to see what relationship there =
is between Muslim and Western archaeologists, especially around the =
Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

Shuan Rose: During the Cold War, US scientists and Soviet scientists =
were able to maintain good working relationships. In fact, when Sputnik =
was launched, the reaction of US scientists was to congratulate their =
Soviet brethren-a far cry from the hysterical reaction of Western media.

Jay Willingham: Within certain fields US scientists were able to =
cooperate and in others respect the accomplishments of their brethren =
behind the iron curtain. In certain areas, no cooperation was possible =
or eve thinkable.

Shuan Rose: US scientists seem to have a good working relationship with =
their Chinese counterparts, despite tensions between the US and China. =
Indeed, American scientists are working in China-and vice versa- today, =
despite spying allegations at Los Alamos.

Jay Willingham: Again, I am not pleased with cooperation which gave the =
Chinese the ability to accurately target ICBM's in the guise of =
satellite placement and small nuclear devise construction.

Shuan Rose: Does the same situation exist re scientists in Muslim =
countries?

Jay Willingham: I hope the new advanced explosives turning up in =
terrorists hands are not coming from Western scientists.

Shuan Rose: Is there a Christian perspective Christian scientists can =
bring to this issue?

Jay Willingham: Always. Ask your Muslim brethren why converting a =
Saudi to Christianity is punishable by death in Saudi Arabia. Sharia =
law offers many other interesting issues. Again I point to the Temple =
Mount and other Holy Land archaeological sites no longer accessible to =
Western scientists and said to be compromised by Muslims seeking to hide =
evidence of Judeo-Christian history.

Shuan Rose: Does the historical background of a thousand year "War of =
Civilizations" between Christianity and Islam play any part in this, or =
is it irrelevant?

Jay Willingham: It is the heart of the issue. I have done some =
research in this area and could post a lot of material. I am sure =
others have as well. However, this issue might be far afield of ASA's =
purpose for this group. If there is interest and assent in the group I =
would like to explore this history and its ramifications not only for =
scientific inquiry but peace. =20